Masculinizing Hormone Therapy

Expected effects of a regimen consisting testosterone

Below are estimates of the expected effects of masculinizing hormone therapy from published and unpublished clinical observations. Hormone therapy will not change the underlying bone structure of the face or body.

Hover over the coloured regions to view expected information on the reversibility, onseta and maximum effectsa of physical changes

Skin changes

Skin oiliness/acne

Reversibility:
Reversible
Expected onset:
1 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
1 - 2 years

Body and facial hair growth

Facial hair grows and body hair thickens.

Reversibility:
Irreversible
Expected onset:
3 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
4 - 5 years

Scalp hair lossc

Highly dependant on age and inheritance; May be minimal

Reversibility:
Irreversible
Expected onset:
6 - 12 months
Expected max. effect:
Variable

Deepened voice

Reversibility:
Irreversible
Expected onset:
6 - 12 months
Expected max. effect:
1 - 2 years

Cessation of menses

Reversibility:
Reversible
Expected onset:
1 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
n/a

Clitoral enlargement

Reversibility:
Irreversible
Expected onset:
3 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
1 - 2 years

Vaginal atrophy

Reversibility:
Reversible
Expected onset:
1 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
1 - 2 years

Infertility

Reversibility:
Variable
Expected onset:
Variable
Expected max. effect:
Variable

Increased muscle mass/strength b

Significantly dependent on amount of exercise

Reversibility:
Reversible
Expected onset:
6 - 12 months
Expected max. effect:
2 - 5 years

Body fat redistribution

Fat redistributes from buttock/hip/thigh regions to the abdomen and mid-section.

Reversibility:
Reversible/
Variable
Expected onset:
1 - 6 months
Expected max. effect:
2 - 5 years
  • a) Estimates for onset and expected maximum effect represent published and unpublished clinical observations. Sources:
    1. Gooren LJ, Harmsen-Louman W, van Kessel H. Followup of prolactin levels in long-term oestrogen-treated male-to-female transsexuals with regard to prolactinoma induction. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1985;22(2):201–207.
    2. Toorians AWFT, Thomassen MCLGD, Zweegman S, Magdeleyns EJP, Tans G, Gooren LJG, et al. Venous thrombosis and changes of hemostatic variables during cross-sex hormone treatment in transsexual people. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Dec;88(12):5723–9.
    3. Wierckx K, Van Caenegem E, Schreiner T, Haraldsen I, Fisher AD, Toye K, Kaufman JM, T’Sjoen G. Crosssex hormone therapy in trans persons is safe and effective at short-time follow-up: results from the European network for the investigation of gender incongruence. J Sex Med. 2014;11(8):1999–2011.
    4. Asscheman H, Gooren LJ, Assies J, Smits JP, de Slegte R. Prolactin levels and pituitary enlargement in hormone-treated male-tofemale transsexuals.
  • b) Significantly dependent on amount of exercise
  • c) Highly dependent on age and inheritance; may be minimal
  • Visual reference: Tetzlaff K. Patient’s guide to transgender, trans, & gender diverse health. 2015.